Quick Verdict: Water Freedom System vs Smart Water Box
Water Freedom System and Smart Water Box are both digital DIY guides, not ready-made machines. Each teaches you to build a home atmospheric water generator (AWG), a device that cools air until the moisture in it turns into drinking water. Both cost about $39 and both come with a 60-day money-back guarantee through ClickBank.
Our pick for most first-time buyers is Smart Water Box. The build is cheaper (roughly $50 to $150 in parts), so you risk less while you find out how your local climate performs. Choose Water Freedom System instead if you want a bigger build, a scaling guide and a troubleshooting section, and you are fine spending about $270 on parts.
- Buy either one if: you live somewhere humid, you can follow instructions and use basic hand tools, and you want a backup water source for outages and emergencies.
- Skip both if: you live in a dry climate, you want a plug-in appliance, or you expect to cut your water bill. Tap water is far cheaper than AWG water.
- The risk is small. The guide is about $39 and refundable for 60 days. Just do not buy any parts until you have read the guide and priced the parts list (more on this below).
👉 Try Water Freedom System for $39.69, 60-Day Refund
👉 Try Smart Water Box for $39, Risk-Free for 60 Days
Table of Contents
- Side-by-Side Snapshot
- What Each Product Actually Is
- How a DIY Water Generator Works
- Real Cost: Guide, Parts and Power
- The Power Math Nobody Shows You
- The 5-Minute Climate Test Before You Spend a Dollar
- What You Get Inside Each Guide
- What We Liked and What We Did Not
- The Refund Trap: Guide vs Parts
- Fact Check: Where Sources Disagree
- What Buyers and Forums Say
- Other Ways to Get Emergency Water
- Which One Should You Buy?
- Pricing, Refund, Support and Safety
- FAQ
- Final Verdict
Side-by-Side Snapshot
| Feature | Water Freedom System | Smart Water Box |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Digital guide, blueprints, bonus guides | Digital blueprint, video steps, bonus guides |
| Guide price | $39.69 one-time | $39 one-time |
| Parts cost | About $270 | About $50 to $150 |
| Free bonuses | 4 | 3 |
| Claimed output | 20 to 60 gallons a day | Up to 40 gallons a day |
| Refund | 60 days, ClickBank | 60 days, ClickBank |
| Creator | Chris Burns | “James Anderson” (pen name) |
| Best for | Bigger builds, scaling up | Cheap first build, testing your climate |
What Each Product Actually Is
What is Water Freedom System?
Water Freedom System is a downloadable guide by Chris Burns that explains how to build a home atmospheric water generator from hardware-store parts. The sales page presents Chris as a farmer from Fresno, California who built it during the state’s drought years. We could not independently verify that story, but the science behind the build is real. It comes with a materials list, blueprints, filtration instructions, troubleshooting and a scaling guide.
We cover it in more detail in our full Water Freedom System review.
👉 Get the Water Freedom System Blueprint + 4 Free Bonuses
What is Smart Water Box?
Smart Water Box is a digital blueprint, written under the pen name James Anderson, that shows you how to build a compact atmospheric water generator. The official page lists it under “Digital Products” and says the buyer gets 3 free bonuses and a 60-day guarantee. Our Smart Water Box review goes deeper, and the 5 reasons to get Smart Water Box post covers the upside.
Important: some websites describe Smart Water Box as a physical box with a filter and a maintenance kit, or as a hydration product. That is wrong. Nothing ships to your door. You get files, and you build the unit yourself.
👉 Get Smart Water Box + 3 Free Bonuses
How a DIY Water Generator Works
An atmospheric water generator works like a dehumidifier. A fan pulls air over a cold coil, the air drops below its dew point, and water vapor turns into liquid and drips into a tank. The water then needs filtering before you drink it.
That is the same thing you see when a cold glass “sweats” on a hot day. It is real physics, and commercial units from companies like Watergen use it. Both guides teach a homemade version of the same process.
Three things control how much water you get:
- Humidity. More moisture in the air means more water.
- Temperature. Efficiency drops sharply when the air is cool, roughly below 65°F (18°C).
- Cooling power and airflow. A bigger coil and fan move more air, but they use more electricity.
One field study in a hot, humid climate found the best performance at about 22°C and 63% relative humidity. That is a useful benchmark when you judge any output claim.
Real Cost: Guide, Parts and Power
The $39 price tag is only the start. Here is the fuller picture.
| Cost item | Water Freedom System | Smart Water Box |
|---|---|---|
| Guide | $39.69 | $39 |
| Parts to build | About $270 | About $50 to $150 |
| Filters and upkeep | Ongoing, varies | Ongoing, varies |
| Electricity | Your power rate x use | Your power rate x use |
| Refund covers | Guide only | Guide only |
Smart Water Box marketing talks about a roughly $50 build. Community builders report $80 to $150 once you add quality filters and a decent tank. Plan for the higher number so there are no surprises.
Either way, you are spending a few hundred dollars at most. A commercial AWG typically starts around $1,500 and goes well above that. Watergen’s home unit, for example, starts at about €4,500 for 30 liters a day.
The Power Math Nobody Shows You
This is the part most reviews skip, and it is the most useful thing in this article.
Making water from air takes a lot of electricity. Published research puts efficient commercial units at roughly 0.2 to 1.3 kWh per liter. A one-year field study in a hot, humid climate averaged 2.25 kWh per liter. Dry or cool weather pushes the number higher.
Here is what the headline claims would require. We use 0.35 kWh per liter as a best case (close to a commercial unit’s rated figure) and 2.25 kWh per liter as the field average.
| Daily output | Liters | kWh per day, best case | kWh per day, field average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 gallons | 19 | 6.6 | 42.6 |
| 10 gallons | 38 | 13.2 | 85.2 |
| 40 gallons | 151 | 53 | 341 |
| 60 gallons | 227 | 79.5 | 511 |
For comparison, an average US home uses roughly 30 kWh a day in total. So the “40 gallons a day” and “60 gallons a day” headlines would need more power than an entire house, even in the best case. Published figures for home-sized AWGs sit around 1 to 20 liters a day, which is about 0.3 to 5 gallons.
Our editorial read: treat the big gallon numbers as marketing. A realistic home build gives you a few gallons on a good day.
Why that does not kill the idea
Emergency planners commonly suggest at least one gallon of water per person per day. A family of three needs about 3 gallons for drinking and basic needs. A build that makes 3 to 5 gallons on a humid day covers that. You do not need 40 gallons. You need a reliable backup.
What it costs per gallon
At $0.15 per kWh, best-case AWG water costs about $0.20 per gallon. At the field average it is about $1.28 per gallon. Homemade builds are unlikely to beat commercial efficiency, so lean toward the higher figure.
Tap water costs a fraction of a cent per gallon. Bottled gallon jugs often run about a dollar or more. So this is not a money-saving project. It is a resilience project, a water source that still works when the tap does not.
If you are planning a grid-down setup, you will want a power plan too. Our guides on building a backup power system for your home and off-grid electricity for beginners cover that side.
👉 Claim the Discounted Smart Water Box Price
The 5-Minute Climate Test Before You Spend a Dollar
Almost every unhappy buyer of these guides made the same mistake. They bought first and checked their climate later. Do it in reverse.
- Open a weather app and check your relative humidity and dew point at different times of day.
- Check it again across seasons. Winter and summer can be very different.
- Match what you find to the table below.
| Your climate | Typical humidity | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical or coastal | 60% and above | Best results. Good fit for either guide. |
| Warm and moderate | 40% to 60% | Steady but modest output. Fine as a backup. |
| Cool or dry | Below 40% | Low output. Think twice. |
| Desert or cold winter | Below 30%, or under 65°F | Very little water. Choose another method. |
This is a rule of thumb, not a guarantee, but it matches what builders report. Users in humid areas such as Florida report good results. Users in dry places such as Colorado report almost nothing. If you are borderline, remember that you can use the 60-day refund window to read the guide and decide with real numbers.
What You Get Inside Each Guide
Inside Water Freedom System
- Step-by-step build instructions written for beginners
- A full materials list with where to source each part
- Blueprints and diagrams for each build stage
- A multi-stage filtration section (sediment and activated carbon)
- Maintenance and troubleshooting tips for when output drops
- A scaling guide to expand the system
- 4 bonus guides: bartering, blackout survival, home defense and a greenhouse guide
👉 See Today’s Water Freedom System Price
Inside Smart Water Box
- The main blueprint with assembly diagrams and a parts list
- A component sourcing guide to avoid overspending
- A filtration and water safety section, including an optional UV upgrade
- Solar integration instructions for off-grid use
- Optimization tips for your climate and space
- Emergency use guidance for blackouts and outages
- 3 free bonuses listed on the official page
Both are digital downloads that work on a phone, tablet or computer. The official Smart Water Box page also mentions step-by-step video instructions, a plus for visual learners.
What We Liked and What We Did Not
Water Freedom System: what we liked
- The science is real. AWG is used commercially and by militaries.
- It includes a scaling guide, which Smart Water Box does not clearly advertise.
- The filtration advice is practical, which matters because condensed air water is not automatically safe.
- Four bonuses that fit the self-reliance theme.
- Low risk thanks to the 60-day refund.
Water Freedom System: what we did not
- The “up to 60 gallons a day” claim is not realistic for a home build, as the power math shows.
- Parts cost about $270, nearly twice the upper end of Smart Water Box.
- No independent lab test of the output is published.
- Fear-heavy sales copy. The product itself is calmer than the pitch.
- Post-purchase upsells. The core guide is complete without them.
Smart Water Box: what we liked
- Lower build cost, so a first test is cheap.
- Solar instructions are part of the pitch, which suits off-grid and RV users.
- Video steps help beginners follow along.
- Same 60-day protection at about the same price.
Smart Water Box: what we did not
- “Up to 40 gallons a day” is optimistic. Builders report far less.
- The creator is anonymous. The page says the author uses a pen name to stay private.
- Unverifiable social proof. The page cites “50,000+ reviews” and “47,537 families,” and we cannot confirm either number.
- Cheap-build marketing understates real costs.
- Possible upsells after checkout.
To be fair, upsells and big claims are normal across ClickBank products. ClickBank screens its vendors, and most complaints we see come from mismatched expectations, such as buying in a dry climate or expecting a finished appliance, rather than from anyone being cheated.
The Refund Trap: Guide vs Parts
Your 60-day guarantee refunds the guide, not the parts you buy afterward. If you rush out and spend $270 on hardware, then discover your climate is too dry, you can get the $39 back but not the hardware money.
Use the refund window the smart way:
- Buy and download the guide. It is about $39 either way.
- Read the whole thing and the parts list before touching a store.
- Price the parts in your area. Add them up.
- Check your humidity using the climate test above.
- Decide inside the window. If it is not for you, request a refund through ClickBank before day 60.
Done this way, the most you can lose is a little time. If it fits, you build with confidence.
👉 Start Smart Water Box With a 60-Day Guarantee
The “start small, scale later” option
Because both guides cost about the same and both are refundable, some readers start with Smart Water Box to prove their climate cheaply. If a $50 to $150 build gives usable water and they want more, they then look at Water Freedom System’s scaling guide. This is our editorial suggestion, not something either seller promotes.
Fact Check: Where Sources Disagree
Search results for both products are messy. We compared the official page with third-party sites so you do not have to.
| Topic | Official page | Third-party sites | Our conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Water Box format | Digital product | Some call it a physical filter system or a hydration product | It is a digital guide only |
| Smart Water Box price | $39 on the checkout link | $33.69, $37, $39.69 all appear | Trust the live checkout page |
| Smart Water Box output | Up to 40 gal a day | Some say it works even in dry climates | Physics says no. Humidity matters. |
| Water Freedom System creator | Chris Burns | One site says no creator is verified | Credited to Chris Burns. Not independently verified. |
| Ratings | “50,000+ reviews” (Smart Water Box) | Ratings from 3.8 to 5 out of 5 | Ignore star counts. Read build reports. |
Watch for lookalike sites. Many pages copy the brand name, and some use other domains. The official Smart Water Box site is watersmartbox.com. For either product, buy through the official order page so your refund rights stay intact.
What Buyers and Forums Say
Across Reddit, homesteading forums and review sites, the pattern is steady:
- Humid-climate builders are happy. They report usable drinking water and an emergency backup that worked during outages.
- Dry-climate buyers are disappointed. The guide was fine, the location was wrong.
- Skeptics call it a dehumidifier with a filter. That is fair. It is the same physics, and output follows humidity.
- The top complaint is the gap between headline gallons and real output.
- We found no verified reports of payment fraud or refund refusals for either product.
For a related comparison, see our Energy Revolution System vs solar panels vs Water Freedom System comparison, and our Joseph’s Well review for a third DIY water blueprint.
Other Ways to Get Emergency Water
| Option | Upfront cost | Needs power? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Freedom System build | About $310 total | Yes | Humid areas, scaling up |
| Smart Water Box build | About $90 to $190 total | Yes | Cheap first build |
| Commercial AWG | $1,500 to $5,000+ | Yes | Plug-and-play, bigger budgets |
| Gravity filter | $250 to $500 | No | Cleaning existing water |
| Rain collection | $50 to $500+ | No | Rainy regions |
| Stored water | Low | No | Short outages |
An AWG is not your only layer. Stored water and a filter still belong in a good plan. The AWG is the layer that keeps producing after your stored water runs out.
Which One Should You Buy?
| Your situation | Better pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First DIY water project | Smart Water Box | Lower parts cost |
| Tight budget | Smart Water Box | Less money at stake |
| Off-grid, RV or van | Smart Water Box | Solar instructions and a compact build |
| Large family or homestead | Water Freedom System | Scaling guide and a larger build |
| You want extra survival guides | Water Freedom System | 4 bonuses |
| Dry or cold climate | Neither | Rain collection or a filter works better |
Both are realistic ways to learn the skill. If you are still undecided after reading this, the 60-day refund is the tiebreaker. Download one, read it, and see whether the plan makes sense for your home.
👉 Start Water Freedom System Risk-Free
Pricing, Refund, Support and Safety
Pricing and refund
Water Freedom System is listed at $39.69 (marketed against a $149 regular price). Smart Water Box shows $39 on the official page. Both are one-time payments with instant digital access and a 60-day money-back guarantee handled by ClickBank. Buying through an affiliate link does not affect your refund rights.
Support contacts
- ClickBank billing and refunds: 1-800-390-6035
- Smart Water Box product support: contact form on watersmartbox.com
- Water Freedom System product support: chris@waterfreedomsystem.com (listed in third-party coverage, so confirm it in your receipt email)
Safety and legal notes
- Do not skip filtration. Condensed air water can carry dust and microbes.
- Keep tanks clean. Standing water breeds bacteria. Clean and sanitize on a schedule.
- Test your water before relying on it long term, especially for children, older adults or anyone with a weak immune system.
- Do not drink dehumidifier water. Those units are not built for drinking water.
- Check local rules. The Smart Water Box disclaimer notes that some home alterations may be restricted where you live.
FAQ: Water Freedom System vs Smart Water Box
Which is better, Water Freedom System or Smart Water Box?
For most first-time buyers, Smart Water Box is the better start because parts cost less. Water Freedom System suits people who want a larger build with a scaling guide. Both are about $39 with a 60-day refund.
Is Smart Water Box legit?
Yes. It is a real digital guide sold through ClickBank. The main criticisms are an optimistic output claim, an anonymous author and unverifiable review counts. It is not a physical product.
Is Water Freedom System legit?
Yes. It is a real guide sold through ClickBank with a 60-day refund. Its biggest weakness is the high gallon claim, not fraud. See our other legitimacy checks for how we approach these questions.
Are they the same product?
No. They have different creators, sales pages, parts lists and bonuses. They share the same basic idea, which is building a home AWG.
Which is cheaper to build?
Smart Water Box, at roughly $50 to $150 in parts. Water Freedom System is about $270.
How much water will each really produce?
No independent lab test exists for either. Based on AWG research and builder reports, expect a few gallons per day in humid conditions and much less in dry ones. The 40 and 60 gallon claims would need more electricity than a typical home uses.
Do they work in dry climates?
Poorly. Output falls sharply below about 40% humidity and nearly stops below 30%. Cool air hurts too.
Does the refund cover the parts?
No. It covers the guide price only. Read the guide and price the parts before you spend on hardware.
Can I get a refund if I buy through your link?
Yes. Your refund is handled by ClickBank and is not affected by who referred you.
Are there upsells?
Possibly. You may see extra offers after checkout. You can decline them, and the core guide is complete without them.
Is the water safe to drink?
It can be if you follow proper filtration, keep the tank clean and test the water. Condensed air water is not safe by default.
Do I need electricity?
Yes. Both builds need power for fans and cooling. Smart Water Box also covers solar integration for off-grid use.
Can I just use a regular dehumidifier?
The physics is the same, but regular dehumidifier water is not meant for drinking. That is a big reason people follow a guide with filtration steps.
Will it lower my water bill?
Probably not. Tap water is far cheaper per gallon than AWG water. The value is backup supply, not savings.
Where do I buy them safely?
Use the official order pages only. Avoid lookalike domains, PDFs and reseller listings, since those will not carry the official guarantee.
Final Verdict
Both guides are legitimate, both are priced around $39, and both carry a 60-day refund. The real difference is the build. Smart Water Box costs less to try. Water Freedom System asks for more money but gives you more scale and extra guides.
Ignore the giant gallon numbers on both sales pages. What you are really buying is the knowledge to make clean water when the tap fails. For about $39 and a refund window, that is a low-risk skill to own. In a humid area, you may even have your first batch of water within a couple of weeks.
The people who regret these purchases bought in dry climates or expected a plug-in appliance. If that is not you, start today while the discounted prices are live.
👉 Try Smart Water Box for $39, 60-Day Guarantee
👉 Try Water Freedom System, Refundable for 60 Days
Further Reading
- Water Freedom System Review: our full breakdown of the guide, bonuses and complaints.
- Smart Water Box Review: build costs, climate limits and what real users report.
- Energy Revolution System Review: a DIY power guide if you want to run an AWG off the grid.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not engineering, legal or medical advice. Water output depends on humidity, temperature, build quality and maintenance, and results vary. Always filter and test home-made water before drinking it, and check local rules before building. This post contains affiliate links, and prices and offers can change.